30.10.2024 (Caucasian Journal). Today we are honored to welcome a very special guest: Ambassador Per EKLUND, former EU Ambassador to Georgia, and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Stockholm.
Ambassador Eklund recently led an international observer delegation to monitor the 2024 Georgian parliamentary elections.
▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.
Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal: Dear Mr. Ambassador, thank you for finding time for this interview. Unlike many international observers, your firsthand experience as a former EU ambassador, coupled with your continued engagement in regional affairs, provides you with a unique perspective on Georgia. How would you summarize your impression of the election and other recent developments?
Per EKLUND: Georgia, now an EU candidate country, did not meet the high expectations the international community had regarding the 2024 elections. Particularly concerning was the pre-election period, which failed to meet fundamental standards for democratic elections. Election observers were discredited, legislation passed was not in line with European standards, and reports of harassment and threats against voters were frequent. With the ruling party dominating the media landscape, having access to administrative resources, and controlling the administration, it was not a level playing field.
AK: Are there any factors or facts that you would like to comment upon, in particular?
PE: TV is the main source of information for the public. To learn about the blocking of campaign ads — on both government-leaning and opposition channels — was discomforting. The absence of debates on TV, hindering the electorate from gaining an informed understanding of the issues at stake, is simply bad and immature.
Georgia, now an EU candidate country, did not meet the high expectations the international community had regarding the 2024 elections... With the ruling party dominating the media landscape, having access to administrative resources, and controlling the administration, it was not a level playing field.
AK: Would you like to compare the current period with other periods in Georgian political history that you had witnessed before - the atmosphere, the political temperature, the feeling, the expectations maybe?
PE: There were both similarities and differences. Some complaints aired by the opposition were the same as the then-opposition brought forward in 2012: The use of administrative resources, harassment, and threats. So I had some flashbacks. But the opposition this time seemed filled with optimism and a fighting spirit that felt new. But some faces were the same as in previous elections, and the young people seemed largely absent among the political leaders I met.
I wish that all elected MPs would take their seats in the parliament and use it for advancing their programmes and airing their concerns.
AK: It's just ten months ago that Georgia was granted the long-cherished EU candidate status. How do you assess Georgia's position vis-a-vis EU now, and its perspective?
PE: It is key how the post-election develops. Demonstrations and protests might be frequent but I hope will be allowed to take place and not met with excessive force and violence. I wish that all elected MPs would take their seats in the parliament and use it for advancing their programmes and airing their concerns.
AK: Let's imagine Georgia was already a EU member state. Do you think the fact of EU membership would have influenced the internal situation and parliamentary election in particular? Or, would be there any difference on the part of international observers? Perhaps, the criteria of fairness would have been stricter?
PE: Georgia, as we know it today, is not ready for EU membership so I would not like to speculate. Apart from all the reforms that need to be carried out, the political culture needs to be developed. The winner-takes-it-all mentality is detrimental to a democracy. The political parties need to move on from being personality-centered to ideologically driven, and a culture of seeking broad solutions and compromises needs to be developed.
AK: Given the experience of some other EU member states, how do you assess the influence of EU membership on the political struggle and electoral process?
PE: Before an EU membership will be granted, substantial reforms will need to be carried out and the concepts of political pluralism, the role of civil society in a democracy, equality and human rights need to be encompassed by the politicians. I believe that the accession process, if carried out in broad consensus among the political elite, would be good for the development of a better political culture in Georgia.
Georgia... is not ready for EU membership... Apart from all the reforms that need to be carried out, the political culture needs to be developed. The winner-takes-all mentality is detrimental to a democracy. The political parties need to move on from being personality-centered to ideologically driven...
AK: In other words, what the citizens of EU candidate country might expect in political life, as long as their country is integrating into the EU?
PE: In short a strengthened democracy characterized by respect for equal rights, for human rights, and plurality.
AK: There is a rather widespread opinion in Georgia that, once designated as an EU candidate country, Georgia is free to proceed with the accession procedure at any time, whenever it prefers. Is it true that once opened, the door to the EU remains open? Or is it a short window of opportunity that goes away for good if not used?
The young people seemed largely missing among the political leaders I met.
PE: The vast majority of Georgians want to be a part of the European Union. But legislative acts have been passed; threats to ban the opposition and other actions have led to the halting of accession talks with the EU. I do not know, but I do not think the window of opportunity goes away within a short period of time.
AK: If there is anything else you want to comment upon and send a message to our readers, the floor is yours.
PE: It is for the government to take appropriate actions in order to bring Georgia back to its European path. We can only watch and hope that this will happen. Soon.
AK: Thank you so much for the excellent interview!
Read the Georgian language version here.
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